AJSC records 39 cases of threats, violence against journalists

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Afghan Journalists Safety Committee (AJSC) on Thursday recorded 39 cases of threats and violence against journalists during the first half of 2015, making the government responsible for 72% of the cases of threat and violence against journalists specifically in western provinces.

AJSC head Najibullah Sharifi told a press conference in Kabul that the 6-months AJSC report recorded 39 cases of threats and violence against journalists during the first half of 2015, reflecting a decline by 43% compared to the first six months of 2014 during which 63 cases were recorded.

He said that one journalist was killed and another 4 wounded in this reporting period. Similarly, 19 journalists were beaten, 2 arrested and another 13 faced threats of varying natures.

Aqil Waqar, reporter of Spin Ghar Radio, was gunned down by unidentified gunmen in Batikot district of Nangarhar province in January this year, he recalled.

In addition, the AJSC report revealed that four journalists of Pajhwok Afghan News including Saifullah Maftoon, Habib-ur-Rehman Sherzai, Mohammad Haroon and Hassan Hakimi received threats from government officials.

“Government officials still consider journalists as enemy. We demand the government should build cordial ties with media instead,” he remarked. He said that Taliban account for 12%, unidentified persons are responsible for 3% and local powerful individuals have been involved in 3% of these cases.

Pajhwok Afghan News made repeated attempts to get the version of ministries of defence and interior but no official was present to talk on the subject.

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